Father Vincent Pinto is open to new ideas. He believes change is inevitable. It is the spice of your life. “Believe me, your students are your best guide to help you grasp the GenNext trends,” says principal of St Francis’ College.
“They motivate us to change. Change for the better. But, this happens only when you interact with them. Class VI onwards, I recognise more than 70 per cent students by name. This makes them feel dignified,” he says and adds, “During a sports session in the evening, I play with them. And, whenever a teacher is absent, I take class.”
When Fr Pinto took charge on January 13, 2006 from his last assignment as principal of Sacred Heart Inter College, Sitapur it was just like a homecoming for him.
He had been teacher in St Francis’ College from 1984 to 1987. In the city too, he has been part of St Dominic Savio, St Thomas and St Pauls. “That’s not all. I did my LLM from Lucknow University. I graduated from Nagpur University and around the same time I was undergoing priesthood training from St Charles’ Seminary.”
Did he find any change when he came back after 19 years? “Traditions are still the same, but the number of staff members has increased. The study pattern has changed in pace with the time. After joining, I have introduced some novel methods of teaching.”
{{/usCountry}}Did he find any change when he came back after 19 years? “Traditions are still the same, but the number of staff members has increased. The study pattern has changed in pace with the time. After joining, I have introduced some novel methods of teaching.”
{{/usCountry}}He has introduced computers from Class III to V level from this session and established a lab with 32 PCs. But, he does not agree with the American teaching pattern. “Indian conditions are very different. Couple of years back we introduced two-exam pattern but that yielded a negative result. So, on request of parents, the three-exam pattern was re-introduced which I feel is ideal. The trend of monthly exam is too taxing for the students.”
A sports lover, he was a member of the basketball and volleyball teams at school and college level.
“Sport is very important for students. Till date, I play games and get involved with students and ex-students in the evening session. Our boys are full of energy and this is because they are very quite into co-curricular activities. Our boys participate in most of the competitions but not at the cost of studies. The recently concluded ‘Expression 2006’, in which 10 Catholic schools participated, was a very good inter-school event.
“Games are helpful in two ways —they help one keep fit and convert negative energy into positive. This is why a sports session has been made compulsory. I have made swimming mandatory for the primary section and the results can be seen. It’s so heartening to see the li’l ones splashing.”
Fr Pinto loves watching football and cricket. “This time, Australia is my favourite. They have the killing spirit and can turn the match from any point. India is the second best team according to me. My students keep giving me the match update and we even have discussions on it in the free-classes.”
Besides reading newspapers and magazines, books are his favourite pastime. He is quick to pick up new releases. “I now want to read Kiran Desai’s new book ‘The Inheritance of Loss’. The weekly book’s page feature in newspaper excites me and guides my reading schedule. During leisure, it’s time to think about introducing a new teaching pattern.”
Kids equipped with gizmos (mobiles) and speed guns worries the principal. “We don’t allow it. Parents should play an important role and check the menace.”
Hailing from Karnataka, does he miss his relatives? “I visit my relatives in Karnataka and Mumbai once a year or in two years.”